Scarlet Runner Bean
Phaseolus coccineus
Scarlet flowers against green, heart-shaped foliage. Rapid climbers. Beans are edible and delicious when young. Keep pods picked for continuous bloom. May simply be called scarlet runner. A hummingbird favorite. Edible Flowers: The flowers offer a mild and sweet flavor. Use them to garnish or in salads, soups, and desserts.
Harvest
45-55d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–10
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Scarlet Runner Bean in USDA Zone 7
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Scarlet Runner Bean · Zones 3–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Growth rate: Rapid.
Harvesting
Garden value: Edible
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Edible green pods that turn purple
Advantages
- +Attracts: Hummingbirds
- +Edible: Edible green pods that turn purple
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Corn
Provides natural trellis support for climbing beans, classic Three Sisters companion
Squash
Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes Three Sisters planting
Marigolds
Repel bean beetles and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, also repel bean beetles
Carrots
Benefit from nitrogen fixation by beans, different root depths avoid competition
Lettuce
Enjoys partial shade from bean vines and benefits from nitrogen enrichment
Radishes
Quick-growing crop that loosens soil and deters bean pests
Summer Savory
Repels bean beetles and aphids while potentially improving bean flavor
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root secretions
Fennel
Inhibits growth of beans through allelopathic compounds
Sunflowers
Compete for nutrients and water, can shade beans excessively
Beets
May stunt bean growth due to competition and potentially inhibitory root secretions
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to common bean diseases
Common Pests
Bean beetles, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Bacterial blight, anthracnose, rust